One Factor Youre Overlooking That Could Get You A Job

One Factor Youre Overlooking That Could Get You A JobOne Factor Youre Overlooking That Could Get You A JobWhen looking for a job, you probably already take into account your skills, experience, passions, and interests, but there is aelendher factor you may be missing current events.If you arent already investigating how the world around you can shape your job hunt, you are doing yourself a disservice. Being knowledgeable about current events can help you find a job faster, earn more money, and make better decisions if you have multiple offers.Heres how you can use your knowledge of current events to refine your search.Set Realistic ExpectationsUnderstanding the current state of the economy and job market can help you set realistic expectations about how much research youll need to conduct to find results for open roles and how long your job search may take. A hiring freeze or boom can also be highly dependent on the general economy. Keeping a realistic perspective throughout your sea rch about the reasons there may be an influx of responses to your applications or just a few trickling in, can help you maintain a positive attitude and avoid becoming discouraged. It is important to understand beforehand that it may take longer to find and secure certain roles, especially if you are financially conscious or eager to leave your current position. If you arent receiving responses, you can attribute part of that to the competition for only a few scarce roles. A lack of response does bedrngnis necessarily mean you arent qualified to work in that industry or field, but it does mean that you might need to apply to more positions and make sure your resume is impeccable. Understand Your IndustryCareer trends are not isolated, but rather shaped by the world surrounding us. Certain fields and industries have many roles they need to fill while others are hiring more selectively. Jobs in nursing and healthcare, for example, are currently booming. Generations are growing older a nd people constantly need to be aware of their health. This is information that if you consult the news, can help you target your job search. Other industries, meanwhile, could be experiencing a hiring freeze or not have as many open positions. If you have the option of pursuing a slightly different type of role or targeting an industry, that you know is doing well, your job hunt may be more fruitful. For example, if you previously worked marketing packaged goods, but youve heard there are many open roles for marketing in the software industry, you might consider doing some research into relevant jobs. An understanding of market trends and the types of products people are purchasing, and even popular culture, can help guide you in exploring new jobs.Strategically ApplyCurrent events can help dictate the best time to apply for a role. If you are aware of a significant event, like a housing boom in a certain location, you can cater your search to positions that exist in that location. You can also make sure your salary requirements are in line with housing costs in the new location. You may also not want to apply to jobs in that location if the event would significantly impact the role you might obtain. Furthermore, some positions are seasonal and there is more need for them during certain times of the year. The huge increase in purchases for the holidays is certainly useful information to know for individuals seeking positions in retail sales, event planning, and consumer marketing, among others jobs. Anticipating this growth will help you understand that you should apply for a holiday job in achter monat des jahres or September before the season starts, rather than waiting until December. Consider Prime Real Estate Location, Location, LocationKeep current on job trends because open jobs in certain industries and fields may vary depending on location. If you know that Los Angeles has more open healthcare jobs than Boise, you can use this to help guide your sear ch. The job market in different cities and states is shaped by current events so being aware is the first step to determine the locations that will yield the best results. To avoid frustration, start searching in cities where there are more open jobs and later look at those where the types of role that meets your criteria may be not as prevalent. Check out Simply Hires employment outlook to familiarize yourself with the current state of the job market and the jobs and metropolitan area with the strongest growth.Ace the InterviewCongratulations Youve been selected for an interview.Its not uncommon for interviewers to ask candidates about well-publicized events, whether its to commiserate about a natural disaster or to comment on the recent acquisition of a company in your industry. The more informed about current events and the world, the better prepared you will be for any interview question and to present yourself in the best light. Avoid being categorized as an individual who will not pay attention to his surroundings or others by lacking knowledge about current events.Negotiate Your SalaryWhen negotiating salary, preparation and research is key. Along with researching typical salaries for the type of position youve been offered, having general knowledge of the economy can also be to your benefit. If you enjoy following the stock market and see that the stock for the company that offered you a job has just skyrocketed, youll know you can possibly negotiate a higher compensation package. If that company has been in the news for an event in which they discussed compensation or how the product youll be working with is exceedingly popular or needs some help in improving its features, you can also use this to your advantage in negotiating salary. But, only a well-read and informed individual would be have this knowledge.Set yourself apart and take action now to use current events to help guide your job search. An easy step is to start by finding and reading one a rticle a day concerning politics, economics, technology, or anything else that you believe causes changes in the job market. While we enjoy a good article about the best pizza in each city, as much as the next person, dig a little deeper than this, unless your objective is to become a pizza delivery person.

Job Worn Out its Welcome Know When its Time to Go

Job Worn Out its Welcome Know When its Time to Go Job Worn Out its Welcome Know When its Time to Go Your Job doesnt Cater to Your StrengthsNo one is good at everything and there are many positions where one may find that the skills he or she has dedicated years to cultivating just arent relevant to their current job. Our effectiveness at our jobs is also closely related to how much we enjoy performing the everyday tasks required of the work. If you cant stand what you are doing, this is an immediate red flag that you are in the wrong business.Sometimes the problem is with an organizations management. Good management will delegate work in a way that assigns tasks to those employees who are best equipped toperform them. That is, the stronger an employee performs in a task, the more likely he or she is to regularly work at that task. Unfortunately, not all managers are good managers and often do a poor job at delegating with the end result being a workplace full of unhappy employees.Y our Trek up the Corporate Ladder is Slow to StagnantMost companies, especially large companies who have gone public, are intensely focused on increasing profits from quarter to quarter, meaning most of a corporate executives day is spent obsessing with the bottom line instead of organizational talent. Unfortunately, your company may not have the time or resources to work on developing and promoting their employees. If you feel that your future is limited at your current employer, now is a great time to develop an exit strategy.Your Work Environment is Unhealthy or Operates on Unethical PrinciplesYour surroundings, and the people who inhabit them on a daily basis, have a profound effect on how you feel about your job and your level of performance. A workplace that generates low morale among employees is likely to produce an environment of complacency and indifference. Additionally, if unethical, immoral, or unprincipled behavior is the accepted norm at your workplace, its probably a good time to take the risk and seek out a healthier employer with a supportive and ethical environment.Business is Slowing to a Crawl with No Signs of ImprovementWhile sales positions are most prone to feeling the effects of a dying business at first, eventually, if the customer pool dries up, no ones salary is getting paid. In the world of business, loyalty is a precious commodity but dont let this noble trait lead you to unemployment. If a company is tanking, let it go and find a job at a more financially secure company.

What to Include in a Cover Letter (15+ Examples of What Goes Where)

What to Include in a Cover Letter (15+ Examples of What Goes Where)What to Include in a Cover Letter (15+ Examples of What Goes Where)Youre about to learn what to include in a titelblatt letter, but firstWhew Weeks spent looking for a job have finally paid off.You found a position that has your name written all over it.You know you need a titelbild letter But what goes in a titelseite letter besides blood, sweat, and tears?Worried you might miss something?If you dont include the right things in your titelblatt letter, your dream job will slip by.Cheer upIf you know what to put in a cover letter, writing one will be a breeze. Not only thatyoull actually write an attentions3A Professional Salutation (Formal Greeting)Youd scowl if the barista at Starbucks called out, Hey, you when handing over your mocha frap, right? Well, the same thing goes for cover letters when the hiring manager reads it, as well.One of the best cover letter tips out there is to call them by name. Something like, D ear Ms. Srivastava, will work just perfectly. Using a title and their last name is formal and fine, but you can also grab their attention by calling them by their first name Dear Jacqueline,.Now, what about that Dear part? Dear is regarded as one of the best cover letter salutations out there, as it is useful whether the letter is formal or informal, and whether you know their name or not.Not satisfied with Dear? Cant find a name? Weve got other options for various scenarios on starting a cover letter How to Start a Cover Letter Sample Complete Guide 20+ Examples4An Introduction with Your Skills and Professioanl Wins to Grabs the Recruiters AttentionNow we get to the good stuff the opening statement. Like with the compelling first line in a great novel, the opening paragraph on a cover letter should hook them immediately in a way that makes them want to read further.There are different ways to go about this. As long as they grab the hiring managers attention, you wont go wrong. Let s look at an example of a great cover letter openingAs a longtime fan of United Airlines peerless flying experience, I was excited to see the opening for longs)5ReasonsYoure a Perfect Fit for the JobYouve got them hooked, now start reeling them in with your second paragraph. In the second paragraph of a cover letter, show them how you are the perfect fit for the company and team.Heres an example of what a future barista might say in their second paragraphIn my current position as a residential painter, Ive had many responsibilities and achievements that would serve me well as a future Koffee Konsultants barista. Completing painting jobs all around Manhattan gives me a unique sense of speedy work under high pressure while maintaining quality, something that can translate easily into the fasts8A Professional Closing Sentiment Your NameNow youre there Its time to just add a closing sentiment followed by your name and you can let out a sigh of contentment at your accomplishment. Heres what that could look likeSincerely,John SmithNot much to it, right? That closing sentiment is often called a complimentary close (or complimentary closing), which is then followed by your name to end the cover letter.Pro Tip You can let loose a bit in your cover letter, but just as with the formal header, where you structured your address and theirs, keep the closing sentiment more formal.9A Postscript at the Bottom of Your Cover Letter to Seal the DealWait a minute, I thought you said we were doneThough not at all a necessary section on your cover letter, adding a P.S. is a great hack when writing a cover letter. Every great cover letter contains a postscript.Let me show you what I meanP.S. Id love the opportunity to sit down with you and go over how I can bring similar results (12% productivity increase) to your office, as well.A P.S. (postscript) at the bottom of your cover letter always draws the attention of the reader, even if they dont care to read the rest of it.Key Takeaway You may notice that what to include in a cover letter has a similar formula to the business letters you may have learned to write in school - and thats right. Cover letters are formal letters, so they should follow the standard lettering structure. Cover letters for internships follow the same rules.In a nutshell, heres what a job-winning cover letter should consist ofStart with a bang. Your opening sentence and introductory paragraph on your cover letter are important because itll determine if the hiring manager continues reading. Mention your relevant skills and work achievements to grab their attention.Show you belong together. Use the second and third paragraphs to show that you are a perfect fit for the position on offer and the company, but also that they are the ideal place youd love to work at.Finish strong. You kept their attention that far, but have a compelling ending and an attention-grabbing postscript so that theyll be sure to move on to your resume.

get these 10 things off your resume

get these 10 things off your resume get these 10 things off your resume What you dontinclude on your resume can be as important as what you do include. Here are 10 things to make sure you leave off of your resume.1. An objective.Resume objectives never help and often hurt. Not only do they feel outdated at this point, but theyre all about what youwant, rather than what this stage of the hiring process is all about what the employer wants. Your resume should be about showing your experience, skills, and accomplishments. If you want to talk about how this particular position is the perfect next step in your career, use the cover letter for that.2. Short-term jobs.Short-term jobs raise red flags for hiring managers, who will wonder if you were fired or couldnt do the work or had trouble getting along with coworkers. Plus, a few months on a job wont typically be useful in showing any real accomplishments or advancement anyway.One exception to this rule is if the job was short-term becau se it was designed that way, like contract work or, say, working on a political campaign. Those wont raise the sorts of questions above, because youll have an explanation that doesnt reflect poorly on you.3. A functional format.Functional resumes (which list skills and abilities without including a chronological job history) are widely hated by employers, since they easily mask limited work experience or significant work gaps and make it difficult to understand a candidates career progression. For fruchtwein hiring managers, theyre an immediate red flag that you might be hiding something.4. Your photo.Unless youre applying for a job as a model or actor, photos of yourself have no place on your resume. Since your appearance has nothing to do with your ability to do the job, including a photo comes across as nave and unprofessional.5. A fancy design.Heres what most hiring managers think when we see a resume with unusual design or use of color Does this candidate think that their skill s and achievements wont speak for themselves? Do they not understand what employers are looking for? Do they put an inappropriate emphasis on appearances over substance? (The obvious exception to this rule is if youre applying for design jobs.)6. Subjective descriptions.Your resume is for experience and accomplishments only. Its not the place for subjective traits, like great leadership skills or creative innovator. Smart employers ignore anything subjective that applicant write about themselves because so many peoples self-assessments are wildly inaccurate, so your resume should stick to objective facts.7. Any mention of high school. If youre more than a few years past your high school graduation date, employers dont care which high school you attended or how accomplished you were there. Keep any mention of high school off your resume.8. Extra pages.If youre in your twenties, your resume should only be one page theres not enough experience to justify a second one. If youre older, t wo pages are fine, but you go over that limit at your own peril. Hiring managers may be spending only 20 or 30 seconds on your application initially, so extra pages are either ignored or they dilute the impact of the others. Your resume should be for highlights, not extensive detail.9. Your salary.Resumes dont typically include salary history, so candidates who include it come across as nave. And by sharing that information unbidden, youll also compromise your negotiating power later.10. Any mention of references, including a statement that references are available upon request.You dont need to say that youll provide your references if asked, because that goes without saying. Youre not causing any harm by including that now-somewhat-dated statement, but it takes up space that you could use for something else.

New ASME Member Benefit Discounts on Dell Technology Products

New ASME Member Benefit Discounts on Dell Technology Products New ASME Member Benefit Discounts on Dell Technology Products New ASME Member Benefit Discounts on Dell Technology ProductsAug. 11, 2017 ASME has teamed with Dell to offer a new member benefit. ASME members and student members in the United States can now save up to 40 percent on the regular price of Dell computer systems, hardware and Dell-branded electronics and accessories. One of the worlds leading technology companies, Dell is focused on delivering affordable technology solutions that enable mechanical engineers to make smarter business decisions that impact their bottom line. The company offers a wide range of products for business and personal use, including Optiplex desktops, Latitude laptops, XPS and Inspiron desktops and laptops, PowerEdge Servers, and its award-winning, best-selling line of monitors.From early career engineers, corporate executives, college students and project managers, ASMEs diverse member ba se will receive great value from this partnership, and can in turn get more done in their daily lives by repurposing the savings earned through this partnership, said Mobolaji Sokunbi, Dells head of Strategic Partnerships, North America Small Business.To learn more about the Dell discount for ASME members, visit www.asme.org/about-asme/professional-membership/membership-discounts-perks-and-privileges-from-ca.

Top Secret Facts About Indeed Resume Search

Top Secret Facts About Indeed Resume Search The absolute most proper job for you is closer than you may imagine. The goal of a resume is to get an interview and ultimately to acquire the job or internship. For some people the functional format will be the perfect alternate. The huge job boards make a high number of resumes, but they arent necessarily qualified candidates. So if you believe you will be advertising the job for over a couple of days, it can be well worth it. Since advertising a job is probably going to result in more and far better job candidates, it is an excellent means to fill your open jobs quickly. To learn, you might want to try out the four-day ZipRecruiter free job posting option. Whenever you make your resume public, its visible to anybody. The resume isnt the only reason someone might not be called in for an interview. You have your own personal private website. On top of that, you will have access to view which job boards are providing you the very best job candidates. What to Expect From Indeed Resume Search? As a single-topic search engine, its likewise an instance of vertical search. Theres just one thing I like more than an effortless search and thats not having to search whatsoever In addition, should you lose your work, youre drop access to your work email account, so anyone attempting to reach you about your job search will not be able to get hold of you. Quitting your previous job to discover a new job is an incredibly risky strategy for the majority of us. Resume subscriptions supply you with a set quantity of contacts each month based on the package you select. The resume database section of ActiveHire is among the largest on the web, getting huge quantities of resumes from both external and internal sources. Read Job-Hunts Cyber-Safe Resume article for advice on converting your resume to one that will secure your privacy and your existing job. The Indeed careers page can help you to broaden your web presence at no cost. The Number One Question You Must Ask for Indeed Resume Search Actually, because of the credit score system, many employers will get a decrease cost per contact than that which they currently experience. As a company, you can post as many completely free jobs as you like. If you dont discover your geschftliches miteinander listed on Indeed, you ought to create an organization page from scratch. A business cannot pay to get a review removed. You may also search Indeed for your organization name, even in the event you dont have a business account. Before it is possible to edit your Indeed company page, you should create a Indeed account. Indeed makes it simple to establish a careers page on your organization website without the demand for an internet developer. There are many ways to integrate your new Indeed Careers Page with your present business website based on the internet hosting service you use. Company information is displayed at the peak of the posting. If you wish to secure more mileage by means of your company page, you may sign up for Indeed Company Page Premium. IMDiversity Recruitment Service is constructed on the newest technology by experts acknowledged as the very best in job board program. Finding the right resume format is crucial to learning the proper way to compose a cv. You also ought to make sure your resume was written particularly for the task for which youre applying. A leading major important portion of a thriving job search is identifying whether youre a fit which demands a bit of research around the business or roles. There are lots of ranking aspects to think about in regards to improving your resumes search visibility. These results were consistent with what I have observed over two decades of recruiting. Typically, you are going to want to incorporate a few keywords and phrases along with your intended term but dont go too crazy. Resume action words supply a number of advantages.

Dont Just Quit your Job

Dont Just Quit your Job Are you feeling frustrated over an issue that management might not have resolved? Is lack of growth making you consider leaving your current job? Or is it simply for financial reasons that you wish to move on? Before you go too far on that one-way street, have you evaluated the social, financial and other domino effects of being unemployed? Yes, being unemployed isnt easy, especially when the next round of bills are slipped under the door. You might also find it socially challenging to go out and explain to everyone why you quit your job. Moreover, if youre in a long-term relationship or have children, theres even more reason for you to think twice.While you may have reasons for your decision, there are practical alternatives to quitting your job. Have you considered them?Given below are some you should contemplate1. Have you considered an internal transfer? If you dont get along with a coworker or a newly appointed manager or have other serious reasons, an internal transfer is a healthy alternative. Look around and see if theres another department within your company that may have a place for you.According to some career counselors and leadership gurus, contemporary professionals embark on alternative career paths every 5 to 10 years. This takes away the monotony from a particular job and provides you with a fresh challenge.Moving to another department with experience of working in your previous one may give you better understanding of the new job. There is no nix to having varied experiences. In fact, one can only supplement the other.2. Join a cross-functional team to add variety to your work. Creating such a team, if there isnt one in your present company already, may make you stand out as a creative genius. In case your office already has one, join in and voice your ideas. If you have an idea or two that sell, you could strike gold and find the m otivation to roll your sleeves up every morning.3. Consider asking for additional or new responsibilities. Talking candidly to your supervisor about diversification is another idea that works for many people. Besides, your boss may be trying to get a few things off his or her plate so they can focus on bigger things. Additionally, by taking on new responsibilities, you might earn yourself a favor with the partie who matters mostyour boss.4. Ask for a raise or promotion if youre feeling the economic pinch or if you feel like youre stuck in a rut. If you do it right, you might not only solve a few problems for your boss but also augment your income. Thats a win-win situation.5. As a last resort, you may ask for a short unpaid leave. This period will allow you to cool down, change your settings, consider your options and think more clearly.In certain end-of-the-world scenarios, leaving the company may be a good choice, but knowing that you considered all your options before walking awa y may make you feel better in the end.Final piece of advice It might be better if you already had an offer before you resign.Simply put, you must ask and look for alternatives within the company otherwise you might miss out on opportunities that could lead to a resolution for whatever predicament youre faced with. The biggest long-term benefit for you is that you stay where you are while you improve your job satisfaction.

Navy SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS)

Navy SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS)Navy SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS)Navy SEAL recruiting for officers has been streamlined to a two-phase screening and selection system with candidates from all the officer sources seeking to become a Naval SEAL Officer (USNA, ROTC, OCS) undergoing the same selection process. Now all three Naval Officer programs US Naval Academy, Reserve Officer Training Corps, and Officer Candidate School require the applicants to attend SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS) at the Navy Special Warfare Center in Coronado, California. Phase 1 requires that all candidates submit their SOAS application package to the Officer Community Manager by January/February of each year. The Naval Academy typically has well over 100-150 candidates per class, so they conduct a BUD/S Screening the junior year of all Midshipmen interested in attending SOAS and BUD/S after graduation to help reduce that number further. All officer candidates will soon find out if they qualify for the second phase of the process, which is attending the three-week SOAS Course at the Navy SEAL Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S)Training. Phase 2 is SOASSEAL Officer Assessment and Selection Training. This new process is different from previous years methods of officer selection for Naval Special Warfare. From Mini-BUD/S to SOAS For decades the Naval Special Warfare community (also known as SEALs) have pre-trained officer candidates from various Service Academies and Navy ROTC through a program called Mini-BUD/S. Mini-BUD/S was more like a summer camp for Midshipmen compared to todays assessment and selection program. Similar to Mini-BUD/S, SOAS is for officer candidates who are contemplating the opportunity to attend SEAL training after their graduation or OCS training. The training is held at the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training Center (BUD/S) in Coronado, California. Today, Mini-BUD/S has evolved from a summer training cours e for Midshipmen into a complete three-week screening program for all officer applicants. The new program, SOAS, is open to Service Academy and Navy ROTC Midshipmen/Cadets during the Summer before their senior year. It is also open to highly qualified Officer Candidates School (OCS) applicants before they attend OCS. Selection for SOAS Candidates have to be invited to SOAS by filling out the application found at the SEAL Community Managers webpage. Typically, the SEAL Officer selection hauptplatine accepts Service Academy, NROTC, and OCS packages during the months of January/February and the candidate will get word typically by March/April to report to SOAS in the next few summer months. During the application phase, the board will decide if a candidate is worth seeing more of by attending SOAS. Consider this a ticket to the dance to prove your mettle. Structure of SOAS Here is what a Navy SEAL Officer candidate must endure during SOAS to become selected Week One at SOAS Fam iliarization Week - The first week is more educational than physical for the candidates. The students will attend lectures and tour Navy SEAL Teams and meet members of the Navy SEAL Officer Community. Theywill attend briefings from SEAL Officers and Enlisted as well as do some basic physical training similar what the actual BUD/S students will receive. Week Two at SOASThe days are long, and students will constantly be assessed through more intense physical training. They will be tasked with several fitness tests to include the Navy BUD/S PST 500-yard swim, pushups, situps, pull-ups, and 1.5-mile run, as well as other physical tests. Many of the tests include running and rucking on the beach, ocean swims with fins, obstacle courses, log PT, as well as various swimming skills in the pool and ocean. The students will also be engaged in writing assignments and are subject to instructor and peer evaluations. You will be evaluated on your ability to be a gruppe player, a leader, and phys ically tough. Week Three at SOASThe SEAL candidate will also be subject to psychological evaluations this week, but they are constantly being observed in this capacity throughout the previous weeks as well. The candidates will be asked several questions about themselves and their knowledge of current events and Naval Special Warfare by theSEAL Board Interview. The board consists of active duty Navy SEAL officers and senior enlisted as well as members of the Naval Special Warfare Center and the Officer Community Manager. Since 2014, all officer candidates are screened through SOAS during the summer before their senior years (Service Academy/ROTC). The OCS candidates invited to attend SOAS are college graduates and have to be within the age limit of attending BUD/S (27 years old). This new selection program is similar to other Special Operations Command (SOCOM) selection and assessment programs administratively, but the training is pure Naval Special Warfare at its finest. Many of the candidates do not get selected. Some will quit and lose the opportunity to attend SEAL training as a service selection option, but they are still able to become officers in other communities in the military.

Learn to Cut Costs Without Compromising Employee Relations

Learn to Cut Costs Without Compromising Employee RelationsLearn to Cut Costs Without Compromising Employee RelationsLearn to Cut Costs Without Compromising Employee Relations Rossheim, Senior Contributing WriterFor business owners, especially those who know the names of many of their workers, theres a town meeting agenda thats alfruchtwein as repugnant as a layoff announcement Why it has become necessary to reduce costs by trimming employee benefits.Indeed, like cutting off someones livelihood, reducing or eliminating healthcare coverage, retirement contributions or other vital benefits threatens the business-critical relationship between a small- to midsized employer and its employees.If you start taking away core benefits that the best employees expect, then youre putting the whole business in jeopardy, says Vince Ashton, CEO of HealthPass, a New York nonprofit agency that gives small businesses access to an array of health plans.So whats the best approach if you are forced by fina ncial circumstances to reduce benefits outlays? Youll be wise to take the same approach you may have asked of your employees in these hard times To undertake an unsparing reexamination of your benefits program and squeeze mora value out of each dollar spent.Healthcare Benefits Reconsider CarriersEspecially at small and midsized companies, healthcare benefits have been under pressure for years, costing employers ever more while simultaneously placing a greater burden on employees.But many smaller employers are approaching a crossroads.More companies are having trouble paying their premiums, but most are maintaining health coverage, says Ashton. Health insurance is seen as a part of compensation its a difficult thing for employers to take away.Dropping financial support for health coverage can cost your business in at least two ways lost employee loyalty and declining employee health, which can lead to lower productivity and higher absenteeism.If your workers are like many others at A merican businesses, they might rather forgo some pay than venture into the chaotic marketplace for individual health coverage, which can run into five figures for a family policy. Some businesses are reducing employee hours but maintaining health coverage as the anchor benefit, says Jim Walsh, publisher of Silver Lake Books.Suppose youve decided to maintain a health insurance benefit. Is there anything you can do to control costs other than jacking up your workers copays and premium contributions? If youre like most small-business executives, you dont know all the answers.Business owners often feel theres not a lot they can do about out-of-control healthcare costs, says Earnest Youngblood, CEO of NavigatorMD, which makes health-plan design software. But a broker-consultant can go to the market to try to find carriers that can save you money.A health insurance broker can put your companys coverage out to bid, revealing opportunities for savings for you and your workers. This stuff is hard for an HR person to handle adequately, says Ashton. Im a big broker advocate, but you need somebody whos knowledgeable and well-trained.Ashton recommends getting a referral from a local business owner whose business is similar in size to your own and find out how they regard their broker. Absent that, says Ashton, the trade association that brokers, benefits professionals, and agents join is the National Association of Health Underwriters.But finding a fiscally sustainable health plan is about more than just seeing which carrier comes in with the low bid. You have to look at plan design, says Youngblood. You have to motivate people to be more responsible for their health. Maybe higher copays and deductibles have been keeping people from getting treatment for chronic disease, or from seeking preventative care. A good broker-consultant or independent consultant work hard to find the best option for your workforce.Many insurers have resources dedicated to helping members live hea lthier lifestyles, including value-added programs (discounts for weight loss centers, for example), smoking cessation programs, while others may have specific financial incentives (reimbursement toward gym memberships.) Many will have materials to use, says Ashton. Often there is no associated fee. Employers should contact their insurer to find out what is available.If you are successful in reducing costs while maintaining crucial health benefits, be sure to clearly communicate this management victory to your employees.Retirement Benefits Are Lower Fees Available?Retirement benefits, though many employees consider them a more distant concern than healthcare, have also been at the forefront of cost-cutting measures in the depths of this recession.Some observers believe that in times of crisis, employees will forgive you for trimming benefits in order to remain solvent. People arent leaving jobs now because the benefits over there are better, says Christine Soscia, vice president and plan consultant at InVest, which advises businesses on financial products. But the best of your employees will continue to expect that youll do your best for them.Is there any way to maintain your 401(k) contributions, or at least minimize any reduction in them? Take a look at your 401(k) plan fees, says Soscia Weve gone to plan providers and asked them, What can you do here? Sometimes theyll make adjustments and sometimes they cant because theyd be losing money. One rule of thumb from Soscia Plans that are five years old or older tend to be high.If you find a way to reduce 401(k) fees, reap your loyalty dividend by telling your employees about it.Voluntary Benefits Eliminate Little-Used PerksVoluntary benefits those paid for by employees have also been on the table as employers sought out savings.Some employers are shifting employee benefits from employer-paid to voluntary, to shift the cost of premiums. Others are eliminating little-used voluntary benefits such as legal advice pr ograms or long-term care insurance to cut administrative costs and the drain on HR management resources.How can you know which benefits are most important to your employees? Ask them. Develop and field a simple survey to determine which benefits are most important to your workers. Then incorporate the survey results into your cost-control program, communicating to your employees how their preferences made a difference.

Survey 88% of American workers are happy in their jobs

Survey 88% of American workers are happy in their jobsSurvey 88% of American workers are happy in their jobsWhat really makes employees happy and how can you tell if they are?Wrike, the collaborative work management platform, released the first findings from the companys inaugural Happiness Index, carried out by Atomik Research. The survey asked what made workers happy in the U.S., Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, with at least 1,000 respondents in each country.While Americans were found to be generally happy in their jobs a full 88% Millennials were the least happy group, with 17% responding to be mostly unhappy or miserable.Positive relationships with managers are critical to happiness. Employees with negative relationships with their managers were more likely to report unhappiness.Having a connection to their companys mission is also a key to happiness 70% of happy workers feel a strong connection, while 32% of less happy workers dont know what their companys mission i s, or feel any connection to it.Happiness can influence perception. Cheerful employees are 55% more likely to say their workplace is above average in diversity, but 440% of unhappy workers are more likely to say that their jobs are below average in diversity.You can spot the happy vs. the disconnected workers by observing office social gatherings Happier employees are 70% more likely to take at least a half-hour lunch break or eat lunch with friends, while less happy workers are 57% more likely to spend their lunch breaks on social media. Unhappy workers are less likely to take part in organized gatherings outside work (15%, compared to over 40% for happier workers).Fostering workplace happiness and understanding what really drives employee engagement is evolving its not just about paying the highest salary and providing lunch, says Wrike Vice President of People Operations Megan Barbier in a release. In todays competitive talent market, it is important that companies consider emer ging factors, like diversity and technology, that are playing an increasingly important role in employee happiness.Relatedly, Harvard Business School recently published a story that perks (flexible time, anything contributing to work-life balance) and recognition (like peer-to-peer recognition programs) can be more meaningful long-term than financial rewards.